Norm Ballard has never worked in a school, but he’s been a teacher of sorts all his life.
Ballard – called “Mr. B” by his employees and customers – is the owner and proprietor of Ballard’s Ice Cream in Concord, and has been for 36 years. Throughout that time, one of his proudest accomplishments has been the employees – mostly teenagers – who he says he’s “taught how to work.”
“A lot of kids come to me, and they don’t know how to use a vacuum or make a sandwich, let alone scoop ice cream,” said Ballard, wiping his brow as he helped 19-year-old employee Ryan Sweatt clean the store’s soft-serve machine Friday. “But I teach them all that, and more.”
But that’s all about to change as Ballard, who turned 70 last Sunday, is now preparing to teach his final student – his successor.
Ballard is looking to finally retire and sell his store – but not just to anyone.
“We’d like to pass this on to somebody who’s going to carry on from where I left off,” he said.
And it’s not only the property that buyer will get. Ballard is ready to “leave it all” to the next owner. That means that whoever buys the property will receive the stand, and also the soft serve machine, which is worth $27,500, the freezers, worth between $8,000 to $10,000 each, Ballard’s yellow ice cream truck and the store’s backyard picnic tables and wooden playground.
Ballard said he also hopes to stay and help the new owner learn the ropes as long as he can.
“When they buy this property, they will also be buying Ballard’s knowledge, skill and training,” he said.
That’s why it’s important that Ballard is selective with who he decides will carry on his legacy.
“It’s a hell of a business opportunity for somebody,” he said. “And it’s not a decision we’re going to treat lightly when we sell it.”
Ballard and his wife and children moved to Bow in the early 1970s from Manchester, where he was a printer at the Union Leader for 17 years.
Tired of working long night shifts in the newspaper business, Ballard was in search of a trade that would allow him more time spent with his family.
Ballard bought the building that is now Ballard’s in 1980, where there was already an ice cream stand called “Cranberry Scoop.” He used the property to create a costume and balloon store, which closed in 2010, along with his famous ice cream shop.
At Ballard’s, customers find 53 flavors of hard ice cream, and 16 soft serve, along with a menu of sandwiches and fried food. Ballard’s favorite menu item is his classic vanilla soft serve, which he says “is to die for.”
Ballard’s departure will not be an easy one. His business is a neighborhood institution in the South End of Concord, and he will be sorely missed by many life-long customers.
One of those customers is Karen Ager of Concord who was at Ballard’s with her son, Ian Ager, after he got out of Lego camp at Abbot-Downing School on Friday.
“I promised him an ice cream at Ballard’s after he finished camp today,” said Ager, as she watched her son eat his birthday cake flavored cone with chocolate sprinkles.
Ager said her family, who has lived in the Concord area for 15 years, stops at Ballard’s whenever possible.
“At least as much is prudent for the diet,” she joked.
Ballard knows his customers are not going to be quick to let him go. But he knows that it’s time for him to move on from the business.
“They’re hoping I’m going to be back again next year,” he said. “But I think 36 years in business is enough for me to retire and take it easy.”
Ballard said he’s not officially retiring until his shop sells, and for now he plans on taking work day by day.
As for what’s next for him after retirement, he said he’d like to take a vacation in the summer.
But most of all, Ballard said, laughing, “I’d like to buy ice cream from somebody else.”
(Leah Willingham can be reached at 369-3305 or lwillingham@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @LeahMWillingham.)